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Former NFL defensive tackle Kevin Johnson was found dead at a homeless encampment in Los Angeles on January 21, according to multiple reports.
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Johnson’s body was found with stab wounds and head trauma and his death is being investigated as a homicide
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Friends of Johnson, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders, described him as a “fun-loving” person
Former Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Kevin Johnson has been found dead in Los Angeles, according to multiple reports.
Johnson, 55, was found on Wednesday, January 21, according to Newsweek and Fox29.
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According to media reports, the Los Angeles County coroner said the former NFL player died of blunt force stab wounds and head trauma.
George Gojkovic/Getty
Kevin Johnson October 8, 1995
Johnson’s body was reportedly found at a homeless encampment in the Willowbrook area near South Los Angeles. Newsweek said his death is being investigated as a homicide.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Steve DeJong told Newsweek, “Unfortunately, he appears to be homeless … and it looks like he may be living there.”
When reached by PEOPLE for comment, the Los Angeles County Sheriff said Johnson’s death is under active investigation and they have no additional information to share at this time.
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Authorities are asking witnesses for more information, ABC7 reported.
Friends of the former NFL player spoke to ABC 7 on Thursday, January 22, revealing that Johnson suffered health issues in his later years.
“He was my best friend. I was the best man at his wedding,” Bruce Todd told ABC7, calling Johnson a “funny, good guy.”
“The community will miss him,” Todd added.
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Friends of Johnson also told the media that he may have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease caused by repeated head injuries that is common in the brains of people who play football or other contact sports, according to the Mayo Clinic. This condition can only be diagnosed after death.
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Johnson is a Los Angeles native. In 1993, he was drafted by the New England Patriots. After his NFL career, he played in the Arena Football League with the Orlando Predators and Los Angeles Avengers.
Read the original article on People
